Emergent Series: Class of 29′ Standouts from 9-Man League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning with our second edition of the Emergent Series, we reveal the standouts from the latest freshman group of players representing the class of 2029. Starting off in the 9-man league, many of the players on this list saw considerable action on the varsity lineup immediately, proving their capabilities to excel at this level at such a young age. We reveal 6 freshman players from the 9-man league that have already stood out to earn a spot on our first edition of the "Emergent Series" of 2026!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Eli Walkup ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hillcrest Lutheran Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69645996ca8cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Starting at LB and RB, Eli Walkup made a big impact for the Comets, guiding the team to the state championship game in his first year as a starter. On the ground, Walkup served as the primary RB, rushing for 754 yards (4.8 YPC) and 5 TDs. On defense, he ranked 2nd on the team with 67 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 INTs. Walkup already has flashed well as a MLB, attacking the run with aggression and proving slippery to guard, and there weren't a lot of mistakes or whiffs from Walkup against the run, being able to perform his assignment well and react instinctively to the flow of the play. Walkup will continue to grow as a prominent force for the Comets' defense, and with his star QB graduating this offseason, Walkup could be looked upon to become one of the central pieces of their offense heading into 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Truman Olsem","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fulda","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69645996ca9df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite a 2-7 campaign, HLOF boasted several freshman starters who have already flashed their potential to make a long-term impact for the Coyotes, one of them being Truman Olsem. With his primary position at LB, Olsem tied for 3rd on the team with 58 tackles to go with 3 TFLs, 3 PDs, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 2025. Flashing all-purpose potential, Olsem also carried the ball 20 times for an impressive 115 yards (5.8 YPC) and added 128 kick return yards. Olsem's versatility may help him see an increased role in all three facets of the game, entering 2026 with an opportunity to garner further notice within the 9-man league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Vincent Bray","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"235","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fulda","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69645996caab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boasting impressive size already as a freshman, Vincent Bray has made himself comfortable as a force to be reckoned with in the trenches. Bray finished with 37 tackles, 6 TFLs (2nd on the team), and co-led the defense with 1.5 sacks. Bray has already showcased some impressive measurables and testing numbers, including an impressive 36" vertical, a 385 lb deadlift, and a 315 lb squat as a freshman. Bray's size and athleticism make him a clear mismatch at the 9-man level, and as he continues to build upon that this offseason, expect Bray to step up as a potentially dominant force on the line going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Colton Schaffran","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"225","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Red Rock Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69645996cab97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Much of the attention for Red Rock Central this season was on their dominant run game, but I was quite impressed with how well the Falcons were able to control the box defensively, with one of their standouts being freshman Colton Schaffran. Schaffran finished 2nd on the team with 3 sacks to go with 16 tackles and 4 TFLs. Schaffran proved able to hold his own at DE, playing with solid pad level and good hand placement, while demonstrating an impressive level of strength which he uses to gain leverage on his blockers, and he is continuing to get stronger over the offseason as he is involved on the Falcons' wrestling team. Schaffran will be vital toward maintaining the Falcons' sudden surge as one of the top team in the 9-man league going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Shane Kramer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"140","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Buffalo Lake-Hector Stewart","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69645996cacaf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Looking to improve drastically coming off back-to-back winless campaigns, one name emerging as a bright spot for the struggling Mustangs is Shane Kramer. In limited appearances at QB last season, Kramer finished 18 of 32 for 202 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs while rushing for 44 yards on 5 carries. Kramer also played well on defense, recording 48 tackles, 1 TFL, and a fumble recovery. Despite his smaller size, Kramer showed toughness and solid tackling ability playing in the secondary, and he showed considerably more consistency and scrambling ability with his QB reps. Kramer could potentially be in a position to compete for the starting QB job for the Mustangs in 2026 to go with his Safety role, and it will be interesting to see how Kramer progresses as one of the leaders of this unit going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Malachi Bush ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"150","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hills-Beaver Creek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69645996cad96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of QBs, Malachi Bush is in position to take over as Hills-Beaver Creek's varsity starter in 2026 with the graduation of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1371692' first='Jamin' last='Metzger']. Bush appeared very sparingly as a freshman, completing just 2 passes and rushing for a TD. Also playing at CB, Bush added 10 tackles. The younger brother of SDSU DB [player_tooltip player_id='1506853' first='Micah' last='Bush'], Malachi has also flashed impressive speed and dynamic athleticism that made his brother a top recruit, and that playmaking ability could make him a very dangerous signal-caller for the reigning 9-man league champions going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->